Yet another milestone

2010 is coming to an end.As usual when something comes to an end its a time for reflections and thoughts of things to come.For me the first thing that comes to mind is gratitude that I have survived another year together with all my loved ones.Life is fragile,I have seen a few good friends passing on ,and some coming down with old age or facing health problems.Some of my closest friends have either stopped playing golf or unable to do so.Indeed we have to be grateful that we can still do the things we have been doing.
On the work front it has been an eventful year.Hostel work is ever challenging because you are dealing with young people from all over the world ,with different cultures ,outlook and peculiarities but fairness and firmness in management will always win the day.Dealing with young people or anyone for that matter requires consideration, diplomacy,consistency,fairness and a genuine concern for their well being.I have in the course of the year counseled a fair number of residents for various offenses and they end up happy because we always give them a chance to talk and understand why what they are doing is not right and happily none of them appears before me again.Yes work is still interesting and challenging.I would not be here if it were not for this.
Travel has been less .As we grow older the desire for traveling diminishes because its stressful and tiring.Besides I have seen enough places,the US,UK,Japan,Philippines ,Europe ,China,Uzbekistan,Singapore and find that even though each country has its own unique attraction,there is actually no place like home.A lot of truth in the saying " A man roams the earth in search of happiness only to realize that he finds it in his own home".
Golf has become more challenging and I have always tried to challenge the existing paradigm that old people cannot do this and that.New friends, new golf courses ,new equipment makes the game a continuous fascination and I hope I can continue playing for at least a few more years.
Family ties have been good .Helen and Ming came back ,so did Lily and it was good to my sisters again after so long.Character wise Helen and Ming have not improved much but knowing them we tolerate ,accept and love them all the same.Wendy got her first baby and Sze and Andrew got married making us all so happy.Imn came back for the wedding and nothing makes us happier than to have all our family together.
2011 will be another year of Chinese New Year,Pai Thin Koong,Ching Ming,All Soul's Day,etc etc.We are happy and grateful that we can do yet one more round of all this.But for how long more???